When the fourteenth dance came, about half an hour before midnight, they were still dancing together.
It was upon the conclusion of this fourteenth dance that Mr.Parcher mentioned to his wife a change in his feelings toward William.``I've been watching him,'' said Mr.Parcher, ``and I never saw true misery show plainer.He's having a really horrible time.By George! I hate him, but I've begun to feel kind of sorry for him!
Can't you trot up somebody else, so he can get away from that fat girl?''
Mrs.Parcher shook her head in a discouraged way.``I've tried, and I've tried, and I've tried!''
she said.
``Well, try again.''
``I can't now.'' She waved her hand toward the rear of the house.Round the corner marched a short procession of negroes, bearing trays; and the dancers were dispersing themselves to chairs upon the lawn ``for refreshments.''
``Well, do something,'' Mr.Parcher urged.
``We don't want to find him in the cistern in the morning!''
Mrs.Parcher looked thoughtful, then brightened.
``_I_ know!'' she said.``I'll make May and Lola and their partners come sit in this little circle of chairs here, and then I'll go and bring Willie and Miss Boke to sit with them.I'll give Willie the seat at Lola's left.You keep the chairs.''
Straightway she sped upon her kindly errand.
It proved successful, so successful, indeed, that without the slightest effort--without even a hint on her part--she brought not only William and his constant friend to sit in the circle with Miss Pratt, Miss Parcher and their escorts, but Mr.
Bullitt, Mr.Watson, Mr.Banks, and three other young gentlemen as well.Nevertheless, Mrs.
Parcher managed to carry out her plan, and after a little display of firmness, saw William satisfactorily established in the chair at Miss Pratt's left.
At last, at last, he sat beside the fairy-like creature, and filled his lungs with infinitesimal particles of violet scent.More: he was no sooner seated than the little blonde head bent close to his; the golden net brushed his cheek.She whispered:
``No'ty ickle boy Batster! Lola's last night, an' ickle boy Batster fluttin'! Flut all night wif dray bid dirl!''
William made no reply.
There are occasions, infrequent, of course, when even a bachelor is not flattered by being accused of flirting.William's feelings toward Miss Boke had by this time come to such a pass that he, regarded the charge of flirting with her as little less than an implication of grave mental deficiency.And well he remembered how Miss Pratt, beholding his subjugated gymnastics in the dance, had grown pink with laughter! But still the rose-leaf lips whispered:
``Lola saw! Lola saw bad boy Batster under dray bid tree fluttin' wif dray bid dirl.Fluttin'
all night wif dray bid 'normous dirl!''
Her cruelty was all unwitting; she intended to rally him sweetly.But seventeen is deathly serious at such junctures, and William was in a sensitive condition.He made no reply in words.
Instead, he drew himself up (from the waist, that is, because he was sitting) with a kind of proud dignity.And that was all.
``Oo tross?'' whispered Lola.
He spake not.
`` 'Twasn't my fault about dancing,'' she said.
``Bad boy! What made you come so late?''
He maintained his silence and the accompanying icy dignity, whereupon she made a charming little pout.
``Oo be so tross,'' she said, ``Lola talk to nice Man uvver side of her!''
With that she turned her back upon him and prattled merrily to the gentleman of sixteen upon her right.
